THE ESCAPE FROM JEDABIA 63 



starves in the desert." We showed them a simple letter 

 of greeting from Sidi Idris. They almost prostrated 

 themselves to kiss the sacred writing. This was the same 

 imgrudging loyalty that we had witnessed among the 

 hmnble Auwaghir whose tents we had visited between 

 Soluk and Ghemines. Their lives belonged to the 

 Sayed. Therefore they were at our disposal. Their 

 courage and faith were undaunted because they were the 

 essence of simplicity. 



Surely the glories of a race which can give its all so 

 ungrudgingly cannot be entirely in the past. The great 

 history of Omar, of Ibn Nebu Musa, of Harun-er-Rashid 

 and Saladin may yet be repeated. There are leaders who 

 understand the heart of their people, but perchance they 

 only know that they have power, without knowing how 

 they can use it. It has ever been the policy of European 

 nations to break up the Arab races, to create discord 

 among their princes, to induce their chiefs to oppose one 

 another. Is it not a short-sighted policy in view of the 

 widespread unrest in Europe to-day? Our Western 

 empires and kingdoms are large enough. Concentration 

 and not expansion should be our programme. In the 

 days of Mohammed Ben Ali a caravan under his protec- 

 tion could pass safely from Tripoli to Wadai. All the 

 great caravan routes were open for commerce and trade. 

 How many are open to-day? Strengthen the hand of 

 the native ruler with all the prestige of European support 

 and he will be responsible for the opening up of his 

 country for the safe conduct of travellers, for the friendly 

 intercourse that will allow grain and hides, dates and tea 

 to cross the age-old desert routes! 



